Wichita eagle., 1887-11-03
DIR. LORIMER'S LECTURE.
Feast Of Reason and Deluge Of Humor.

DR.. George C. Lorimer OF Chicago, was
greeted last night at the First Baptist church
by one Of the largest, most cultured and ap-
preciative audiences that ever assembled In
the city on like occasion. The fame Of the
| distinguished divine as q lecturer had much
to do with attracting his audience for the
evening, though the subject that had been
previously announced through the press Of
the city contributed largely as an attraction
to those who possessed keen appreciation of
| the humorous when interviewer with the in
tellectual and instructive. The subject,
Cramps, Cranks and Dudes, or Vagrancy,
Vagary and Vacancy" striking and sug-
gestive as it is, does not comprehend the
depth and compass Of the lecture as delivered.
After a brief predatory remark in reference
to his Immediate surroundings, which put
his hearers in complete sympathy with him,
| the lecturer proceeded with his subject pro-
per. His word caricatures and delineations
| of the tramp as he is known by the people of
this country and today were entertaining,
instructive, humorous throughout. The
tramp he characterized as visionary, yet
confined to the parapatetic vagabond, seen
and known of all housewives about meal
time; he has his counterpart in many digni'
taries on both continents and his origin dates
back into antiquity. He occupies every sta
ton and phase Of life. Many names familiar
to ancient and modern history were men
toned as embraced in the literal definition
Of the term. But the character known by
the familiar appellation is the one that con-
Germs us because Of his relation to society.
The cranks Of today be represented as car
features Of great philosophers A crank is a
person with a wrench or kink in his mind
the nebulae out OF which the inmates Of lun-
attic asylums develop. The term as commonly
applied indicates state Of egotism which in
turn is but true symptom of diseased state
OF mind
The dude doubtless fails to see his connec-
ton with the two former characters, but is
in fact only the well clad tramp, the well
tailored ard perfunled crank-a walking ad-
vertisement, SO to speak-the product of the
tendency Of society, born of our absurdities
These are, in brief, some of the salient
points made, though they will give the reader
but faint conception Of what the make up
OF the lecture really YVES. The points were
amplified and riveted upon the minds Of his
hearers by striking illustrations of corelative
points In pathos or humor, mainly the latter,
and so aptly and forcibly drawn that the
large audience was keptin closest unison with
the speaker without even a moments relaxa-
ton.
The writer confesses bis inability to do the
lecturer in his original, inimitable style and
delivery or the subject matter Of his match
less address justice in brief newspaper re-
port, and can only add that those of our
citizens who failed to hear it missed the
rarest treat Of the intellectual, oratorical,
logical and humorous kind that our city has
ever enjoyed.
The speaker was slightly hoarse from ex-
posure and change OF climate and atmos-
phere, which rendered distinct articulations
at times little strained, but the slig ht defect
was rendered almost unnoticable by tire easy,
natural flow Of eloquence that has given the
lecturer a world wide reputation.
DR.. Lorimer Is the guest while In the city
Of Rev. ". F. Harper, pastor of the First
Baptist church. After taking in as much Of
the city as time will permit before the de-
parture OF the morning train for Lawrence,
be will leave for that place, where he ia an
nounced for lecture tonight